The region’s transit service received a big funding boost on Friday.
The Ministry of Transportation is allocating an additional $749,000 to the PC Connect program, the interregional transit initiative run by Perth County and funded through the Province of Ontario’s Community Transportation Grant Program.
The service connects the county, Stratford, St. Marys - and many points in between - to bigger centres like London and Kitchener/Waterloo.
Maggie Kerr, transit project coordinator at the county, told StratfordToday that the money will not extend the program, which will be funded until March 31, 2025.
The money will ensure that the program will not run a deficit, which it was previously expected to, and can allow the county to invest in further marketing and outreach, something that is crucial for the service’s ongoing success.
In a media release sent after the announcement, Perth County Warden Rhonda Ehgoetz said the funding was graciously welcomed.
“Which underscores the crucial role of public transportation in our rural community, ensuring accessibility and connectivity for all residents.”
PC Connect began to rollout right as the COVID-19 pandemic occurred, locking down the country and stopping people from making trips and using public transportation as a whole.
Since then, the service has struggled to get ridership, though has been steadily growing.
“We’re certainly advocating for long term sustainability - sustainable funding and support for the program,” Kerr said.
Rae echoed Kerr’s sentiment.
“I'm always going to advocate for rural transportation,” said Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae. “Living in rural Ontario and growing up in rural Ontario, I understand the importance of that and having those options for people who live there. Rural transportation, public transportation, is not just a big city concern.”
Martin Ritsma, mayor of Stratford, said that the funding means connectivity for the residents of the city and the county, for those that may not have access to their own vehicle and even those that do.
“We have to change our mindset,” Ritsma said. “If you're in Europe, the idea of getting on a train or a bus is second nature.”
To date, PC Connect has provided over 34,000 rides.
The $749,000 is split between the City of Stratford and Perth County, with Stratford netting $595,000 and the county receiving the remaining $159,406.
Over the past five years, the Community Transportation Grant has provided $4.26 million to the service.
PC Connect runs weekdays and Saturdays. There are four total routes, a KW to Listowel route, a KW to St. Marys route, a London to Stratford route, and a rural route.
For more information on PC Connect, and to find routes and schedules for the service, visit the county’s website.
